Zip lining could come to Rockford

The Rockford Park District is working on a plan to bring zip lining to the Alpine Hills Adventure Park and Golf Center.

Kevin Haas

The Rockford Park District is working on a plan to bring zip lining to the Alpine Hills Adventure Park and Golf Center.

Park District commissioners gave their support today for staff to negotiate with a private company to design, build, operate and fund a zip line canopy tour on the former Alpine Hills Golf Course, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford.

The district is working with Rockford native Steve Gustafson, who operates EBL canopy Zipline Adventures, on the plans.

In 2011, the Hansberger family donated the 52-acre Alpine Hills golf course to the Rockford Park District Foundation. The district's goal has been to transform the facility into a year-round adventure park with summer activities like golf and mountain biking and winter activities such as snowboarding and a toboggan chute.

The first phase of construction for the Alpine Hills Adventure Park is underway. It includes a five-hole golf course scheduled to open next year.

District officials say zip line plans are taxpayer friendly because it will be built and operated by a private company. They also plan to negotiate with the operator to make sure the zip line tour is affordable for residents.